A PLOT to attack a Merseyside businessman that ended with the home of LFC legend Kenny Dalglish surrounded by the bomb squad was orchestrated by a convict from inside prison.

Mark Johnston sent chilling text messages from his prison cell to two would-be bombers on the outside as they planned to throw a grenade into the home of John Ball who was set to be a witness in a court case the next day.

Johnston, 21, formerly of MacQueen Street, Old Swan, sent the texts to Carl Higgins who went with Simon Ignacio to Mr Ball’s home on Selworthy Road, Birkdale, with the grenade wrapped in a plastic bag.

The July 26 attack was the night before Mr Ball was due to be a witness in a criminal case at Liverpool Crown Court.

His house, and several of his businesses, had been attacked previously so he hired a security guard who saw the pair approach the house.

Realising they had been spotted, they walked off, with Ignacio shoving something into the shrubbery outside the home of Dalglish.

Police in the area caught Higgins and Ignacio nearby and later found the live British Army-issue grenade.

The area was sealed off and the bomb squad called to make sure it was safe.

Mr Ball was at home with his two children – aged nine and 17 months – and captured Higgins and Ignacio sulking outside his property, with their hoods up, on his private CCTV.

On what would have been the first day of trial at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Ignacio 28, of Lee Park Avenue, Belle Vale, admitted conspiring to cause damage being reckless as to whether the lives of Mr Ball and his family would be endangered.

Higgins, 29, of Helston Green, Huyton; and Johnston had previously admitted the same charge.

They will be sentenced on Monday by Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart.

Johnston’s mother, Carol, 51, also of MacQueen Street, admitted assisting an offender after changing a mobile phone number linked to her son.